This just in from the OKP

[annathepiper]

Looks like the members of Great Big Sea got tired of their message board disintegrating into a flamefest. I'm bummed to hear this, and yet, I'm not surprised. It seems to happen everywhere on the Internet, even on places which for the longest of times has been a place of music and light.

And it's kind of ironic that I found this just as I was listening to the strains of "Dancing With Mrs. White" and had been swooning yet again at Mr. McCann belting out "John Barbour". 'Cause the B'ys are right--it is all about the music.

Guess I'm just going to have to do all my GBS geeking here. ;)


Announcement quoted from the OKP:

The OKP was started almost a decade ago as a place for fans of the band to meet each other and exchange information. At a time when the group’s following was a lot smaller and more geographically isolated, it was an invaluable forum.

Over the past few years, we have watched with growing dismay as it has turned into something else entirely. The intensely personal focus of many of the posts makes us very uncomfortable. Our legal advisors even worry that some of the content is potentially libelous. The endless arguments over ownership of the band and our music are silly, and often embarrassing. While such opinions are perhaps inevitable, we can no longer sponsor them by hosting them on our own site.

For many new fans, the OKP is their first and only source of information about the band. Too often in the last year we have heard from those put off by the intensity of the current dialogue.

In short, while the OKP could be a source of fellowship and inspiration, too often it has been a nuisance and a distraction. We lack either the resources or the desire to monitor and block posts. Therefore, for the next few months, while the band itself is taking a break, we are shutting it down. Perhaps in the future the band, management, and our webmaster Joanne can figure out a better way to spread the word on GBS, in a safe and sensible environment. There are many fan sites that include chat pages and we hope that you can find your way to one of them to continue to spread the word.

We are dismayed that it has come to this, and we thank those many friends who have found kindred spirits through the OKP, and who have helped spread the word about our music. We hope you will still enjoy the world of GBS, and enjoy the rest of our website. Most of all, we hope that you will continue to listen to and enjoy the music.

After all, isn’t that why we are all here?

Alan, Séan and Bob

Comments

[seimaisin.livejournal.com]

Sad, but I hadn't been over there for months for precisely the reasons they talk about. I do hope, however, that neither the band's hiatus or the OKP's is permanent.

I guess I'll have to be grateful for the few folks here on LJ that appeared in my life via the OKP. ::smiles::

[shikyrie.livejournal.com]

{{{{hugs}}}}

[annathepiper]

I can do without the OKP WAY WAY WAY more than I can do without the band! They can take all the time they need as far as I'm concerned, as long as they do actually come back eventually and make more music. :)

And yeah, this is me raising a glass to friends made on the OKP. :) *hugs!*

[annathepiper]

*hugs back* Thanks! I needed that.

[shikyrie.livejournal.com]

no problemo